September 2012

Cyclist Scott Folck, 35, an Engineering Manager at Taylor Made Golf in Carlsbad died Sunday, September 23, 2012 from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car while riding his bike on Wood Valley Road in Valley Center, California at approximately 6 AM on Sunday, September 16, 2012. According to the U-T San Diego:

California Highway Patrol officials said a 22-year-old motorist from San Marcos was attempting to make a left turn onto Cool Water Ranch when he turned in front of Folck. The driver applied his brakes when he saw the bicyclist but was unable to avoid him. . . Folck’s bicycle ran into the right front of the driver’s Mitsubishi 3000GT and was thrown to the ground. . . CHP officials are investigating the incident. They have said they do not believe alcohol was a factor.

How stoked are we with the latest news from the City of Carlsbadistan? Way. The Carlsbad City Council recently voted to ban smoking from all outdoor restaurant areas were food and/or alcohol are served as part of an update to the City’s ordinance covering smoking.

The ordinance was introduced Sept. 25 and will come before the City Council for adoption, currently scheduled for Oct. 2. The new ordinance will go into effect 30 days after its adoption. At that time, dining establishments will be required to ban smoking in outdoor spaces where they serve food or drinks, and to post signs alerting patrons of the ban. It would also require smokers to stay at least 20 feet away from outdoor dining areas, to prevent second-hand smoke from affecting diners.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now if we could just get smoking outdoors (including in a car with the windows down) banned in Carlsbadistan, things would be all good. People are aren’t allowed to defecate all over the city’s streets, why should smokers be allowed to stink everything up? Think about it.

“Over the past several years, Carlsbad High School and schools across California have struggled to keep their budgets intact for basic operations,” said Barona Band of Mission Indians Chairman Edwin “Thorpe” Romero. “We are thrilled to be able to help our area schools add to and improve science and technology in their classrooms, areas that are growing quickly in the education world.”

Since 2006 the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded more than $1.5 million to 300 schools statewide. Nice to see of those gambling profits going to a good cause. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]

The Legoland Hotel, (Legoland’s most recent ploy to snag every single tourist dollar that comes to Carlsbadistan) is nearing completion and the company has released photos so all of us who live here can see what we’re missing by not really needing to stay at the Legoland Hotel.

Opening the summer of 2013, LEGOLAND hotel is now accepting reservations for guests wanting to be among the first to book a stay at the 250 room hotel. Vacation packages for stays starting May 2013 include four 2-day resort hopper tickets for entrance into LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE® Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Water Park; breakfast for up to four people and early admission into the family theme park on both days.

The almost weekly illegal immigrant drop at Ponto Landing got caught again (September 23, 2012) by the almost always vigilant Coast Guard, according to a story in the U-T San Diego.

The boat, a 25-foot Panga-style vessel, was spotted between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Authorities detained six men, one woman and one child, said Petty Officer Jarrad Pellerin. . . No one was injured. . . It’s not yet clear how many people had been on the boat when it reached land, Pellerin said.

So they’re saying some might have made it. Guess that’s why the boats keep Ponto Landing as one of their regular stops up the coast.

Timo Andres, performing At The River in the above video, will be tickling the ivories tonight in the Village as the Carlsbad Music Festival turns our quiet downtown streets into an exploding bouquet of epic sounds.

The no-limit tournament features a host of prizes for all top finishers, including a private flight for 4 to Las Vegas, beachfront RV camping experience, and TaylorMade golf clubs. . . The evening will offer plenty of fun and chances to win for both the experienced player and novice alike. A donation of $100 includes tournament entry, dinner from several local restaurants, and beer and wine. Players who register early receive extra bonus chips.

Who’s Papa Doug (his preferred first name) and why should we care? The hotelier-turned-media mogul bought the North County Times [for $11.95 million]. Added to his acquisition and name change to the San Diego Union Tribune two years ago, he’s hellbent on creating a Hearst-like media empire in San Diego County.

And why should we care? He’s declared an editorial war on government employees, unions, President Obama, writers who don’t help promote the community, and anyone who walks, talks or acts like a Democrat. My last North County Times column critical of the empty boosterism of Carlsbad’s latest State of the City video would not see the light of day in a Manchester newspaper. [click to continue…]

The Carlsbad Music Festival drums into town September 21-23, 2012 with some old favorites and some new groups as well.

This year’s Festival features everything from the Calder Quartet’s throughly contemporary take on the string quartet to Sara Watkins‘ personal mix of bluegrass, singer-songwriter and pop; from Wu Man’s international take on the traditional Chinese pipa to composer Michael Gordon’s epic and brilliant composition for 6 percussionists playing amplified and tuned 2x4s (yes, from the hardware store), Timber. In short, “adventurous music by the beach.”

With performances in the Carlsbad Train Station, Carlsbad Village Theater, St. Michael’s By The Sea, and the Community center it’s going to be difficult to get away from the sounds of great music in the village. We’re looking most forward to the mellow surf/jazz sounds of The Matson2. Festival passes are available for $85 individual tickets are proved between $10 and $15.

Presented by John Haedrich’s Tip Top Meats, the Oktoberfest will feature fun for the entire family including a pumpkin patch, beer, pumpkin decorating, beer, bouncy houses, beer, face painting, beer, Live music and dancing, beer, and an authentic German dinner and, or course, beer.

Dinner tickets ($10 each) are available at the event or in advance from Carlsbad Rotarians or at Al’s Cafe in the Village or Tip Top Meats. For all the details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]